Mario Batali looks to open restaurant in New Haven

NEW HAVEN >> Mario Batali, known for his New York restaurants and television presence, wants to open a restaurant on Park Street at Elm Street.

The 278 Park St. site was approved for a 54-seat restaurant in 2005, but it was never occupied.

The property is owned by the St. Thomas More Corp., but Yale University has a long-term lease.

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Lauren Zucker, a spokesperson for Yale, said the restaurant, could open by the end of the summer, if city approvals fall into place.

She compared the proposal to Tarry Lodge, which is one of Batali’s many eateries.

Yale needs a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals to open a 74-seat restaurant on the site, where five additional parking spaces are needed. It has been referred to the City Plan Commission.

Joshua Cohen told the BZA Tuesday that there is plenty of parking on Park, Howe and Elm streets, as well as at the nearby Laz operated parking lot Broadway.

The restaurant would have a full restaurant liquor license, but no separate bar seating. The original approval did not include liquor service.

The Rev. Robert Beloin, pastor of Saint Thomas More Chapel, which is adjacent to the restaurant site, sent a letter to the BZA expressing his support for the restaurant.

The other restaurant owners are Joe Bastianich, Andy Nusser and Nancy Selzer.